 Long-term motives create long lasting results
Some motivations for weight loss are short term, such as a wedding, a class reunion or a vacation. These types of motivators are pretty powerful and usually afford great success. However, being short term, when the event is over, we usually go back to our normal habits and gain back all the weight lost, and often more. Long-term motivations have less immediate pressure, so they usually don't provide quick results, but they are much more likely to provide lasting ones.
Staying strong and healthy in order to have an active life is one example. It's nice to be one of the people having fun rather than watching from the sidelines. Make a list of things you enjoy doing that are active and place it in a prominent location as a reminder of why you want to exercise and eat well.
It's also nice to have the independence of being able to do things on your own. For example, healthy living preserves your eyesight for driving. Regular exercise and good nutrition also helps preserve brain function.
Being able to help others in my family has been a strong motivator for me. A large part of my weight-loss journey occurred while I was a caregiver for my mother, during the last few months of her life. I quickly learned that in order to have the strength and energy to care for others, I needed to take care of myself first.
Medical costs are a big concern as we age. The cost of a gym membership, personal trainer or buying healthy foods might seem excessive, but when compared to prescription drugs, surgery or long term health care, they become much more affordable.
It is never too soon to consider these motivators, nor too late to make changes that will make a difference.
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